10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time – TheFantasyTimes

Sci-fi movies by nature, are big on scale and bigger on budget, giving them the makings of a perfect summer blockbuster. When studios and producers invest so much time and money into a film, they want to magnify the film’s reach, and what better time to release the film than the summer? This combination of large-scale sci-fi films, paired with crisp, carbonated drinks and warm popcorn, is often considered to be the holy trinity of good times. So, with summer right at our doorstep, here are the biggest sci-fi blockbusters for you to choose from for your next watch party.

10 The Fifth Element (1997)

 

 

Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is a bit of a polarizing film in the sci-fi category. Despite not being critically acclaimed, the film went on to be a success at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing French film in 1997. The film’s plot is a bit convoluted and gimmicky, but manages to keep the audience engaged with its taut screenplay and convincing performances.

The story follows Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a cab driver and a former special forces officer whose life changes when a woman (Milla Jovovich) enters his cab, on a quest to find a few mythical stones that will avert catastrophe.

9 Minority Report (2002)

 

Over time, Steven Spielberg’s name has become synonymous with sophistication, with his specialization lying in his ability to integrate technology into an emotionally charged narrative. Minority Report condenses all of Spielberg’s talents into a neatly-written story, which centers around a dystopian future and reflects upon the dark side of technology. The film is led by an incredibly charming Tom Cruise and plays out as a classic game of cat and mouse.

8 RoboCop (1987)

 

Paul Verhoeven’s dystopian tale about the blending of man and machine has never been more relevant in society than it is today. Despite its cultural significance, RoboCop by no means comes across as preachy or falls short of action and entertainment. On the contrary, the film works as a mainstream maelstrom of bombs and bullets, with little to no respite.

7 Blade Runner (1982)

 

Ridley Scott’s film is based on Philip K. Dick’s sci-fi novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. The film is set in a futuristic world where human-looking cyborgs are created to aid humans with everyday tasks. Once these replicants are no longer deemed necessary, they are exterminated by Blade Runners.

Scott’s film follows Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner who’s seemingly tired of his line of work and starts questioning his own identity as he goes on neutralizing androids. Many consider Blade Runnerto be a sci-fi masterpiece, responsible for charting a new course in the sci-fi genre.

Related: Why Blade Runner 2049 is One of the Best Sequels of All Time

6 Alien (1979)

 

Alien is another great film by Ridley Scott on the list. The film operates on the border of a horror film with the sensibilities of a sci-fi film. Due to the film’s massive success, many films were made under the Alien franchise, but nothing comes close to the original masterpiece.

Related: Every Movie in the Alien Franchise, Ranked

5 Jurassic Park (1993)

 

Helmed by sci-fi aficionado Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park gave birth to a new breed of filmmaking by introducing path-breaking CGI to the worldcomplimented by a steady storyline and solid performances. Spielberg’s film dominated the box office in 1993 and spawned of a few more films in the franchise. The film also won three Academy Awards for its achievements in visual effects and sound.

Related: Jurassic Park Movies Ranked from Worst to First

4 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1997)

 

At this point, the Star Wars films are not just films, but a universe in themselves. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope revolves around the Rebel Alliance, led by Princess Leia, and her plans to destroy the Death Star. The film also charts Luke Skywalker’s journey to return the plans he finds in his droids to the Rebel Alliance, as the empire aggressively starts looking for them.

Upon its release, George Lucas’ sci-fi masterpiece received 10 Academy Award nominations, winning seven and creating a separate sub-culture full of fans and paraphernalia for years to come.

 

Heavily inspired (but not credited), by Satyajit Ray’s The Alien, the Indian maestro was advised to take Spielberg to the court. Ray however chose not to pursue the legalities, with Spielberg also denying the allegations.

That aside, E.T the Extra-Terrestrialwent on to be a revolution in the sci-fi space, with fans calling it one of Spielberg’s most intimate films. With E.T., Spielberg proved to the world that his films put emotions over technology and intimacy over effects, earning him nine Oscar nominations while winning four.

2 Back to the Future (1985)

 

No matter where we’re at in terms of evolution, we’re nowhere near inventing a time machine and traveling through time. This explains why a concept like Back to the Future would have so many takers. The film approaches the concept of time travel with a very DIY, basement laboratory outlook, but it’s entertaining and full of quirk nonetheless.

1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

 

James Cameron’s sequel to his 1984 film upped the ante in every way. With Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Cameron pitted machine against machine by turning Schwarzenegger’s Terminator into a protector. The face-off that followed between Schwarzenegger’s Terminator and Robert Patrick’s T-1000 is still remembered to this day, as it was the first time the fans saw The Terminator meet his match.